But it did feel like the wounds opened at Belo Horizonte two years ago were finally healed, when Brazil beat Germany in a penalty shootout to take the football gold medal at the 2016 Rio #Olympics Saturday night.
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“This is one of the best things that have happened in my life”, the Barcelona forward said.
Dunga made Neymar captain following Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
The Barcelona forward scored a free kick to put Brazil ahead.
The hosts defeated Germany 5-4 on penalty shoot-out after the teams remained tied 1-1 following the final whistle.
Brazil had lost three Olympic finals, including four years ago in London, when it was upset by Mexico 2-1 with a team that also included Neymar and other talented players.
“It was a noble gesture on Neymar’s part to leave it up to Tite”, said Micale. For them to have never won an Olympic Gold Medal in football was nothing short of shocking, but Neymar and his triumphant band of boys have ensured that the particular anomaly exists no more. Although Germany found the post three times in the half, Brazil went into the break with a 1-0 lead. It has been a dream for the Host nation, to be able to host the Olympics and also win gold in soccer. It may not be as fashionable as a World Cup, but for the players and the local population, it was nothing less than winning one.
The second half begun, and as the minutes passed on, Germany’s foothold into the match grew stronger.
“I really don’t have words to describe this, it doesn’t matter if it’s the World Cup or Euros, this is what you have earned through your hard work over weeks and months”. The Brazilian football federation took the Olympic tournament as seriously as ever, bringing Neymar and many talented youngsters that are expected to be in the main squad in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Brazil coach Rogerio Micale paid tribute to Neymar after the game. Earlier on the competition they were not convincing at all as they drew their opening match against South Africa. The Americans are going for their sixth straight gold medal, playing a Spain team they routed by 40 in the preliminary round.
The Germans then hit the crossbar again, with Max Meyer’s curled free-kick nodded on by Suele, with a Brazilian deflection taking it over with the help of the crossbar.
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During events at the Rio Olympics, when Argentina were in action, the locals enjoyed themselves by counting up to 23 – rubbing in the fact that it’s been 23 years since the Argentine football team won a senior title.
